Jamaica ensures smooth switchover

The Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) will begin a comprehensive study next month on the requirements for ensuring a successful switchover to digital in 2015.

Executive Director of the BCJ, Cordel Green said the study, which should be completed in June or July this year, will identify, among other things, cost points, and opportunities for funding and support.

“That should put us in a position at the end of 2012 to have a very clear econometric, financial and technical plan on which we can build in 2013, 2014 and then taking us into 2015,” he stated.

He said the research will be particularly beneficial for free-to-air television operators, who are concerned about costs. “It also applies to cable, but many of you are already involved in that transformational process, but for free-to- air television operators, who have invested a lot in the traditional analogue transmitters, there are always questions around costs,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Green said a decision will be made shortly on the appropriate technical standards to be used in switching to digital in Jamaica.

“There is a technical committee, which is a sub committee of the National Steering Committee that has been examining this matter and they expect to take a decision and make some announcements in early April,” he said.